# Laban Tall — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide

> Laban Tall in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Laban, Tall

**First appearance:** 0011-x-mistress-and-men

## Snapshot

A mild-mannered farm laborer whose domestic life is ruled by his formidable wife Susan, making him the quiet butt of the village's knowing humor.

## Who they are

Laban works the fields at Weatherbury but his real trials begin at home, where his wife Susan's sharp tongue and domineering ways leave him little peace. When Gabriel and Coggan need to send a discreet message, they must navigate Mrs. Tall first, and Laban's absence from his own doorstep speaks volumes about the household order. His henpecked lot provides Hardy with some of the novel's driest comedy, while also underscoring the narrow, watchful world in which even a laborer's private life is common property.

## Relationships

### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene)

_professional_

Laban Tall is a farm laborer employed by Bathsheba, known for his meekness and occasional incompetence.

### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan)

_friendship_

Jan Coggan and Laban Tall are fellow farm workers who share jokes and camaraderie during their labors.

### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan)

_friendship_

Jan Coggan and Laban Tall are fellow farm workers who share jokes and camaraderie during their labors.

### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene)

_professional_

Laban Tall is a farm laborer employed by Bathsheba, known for his meekness and occasional incompetence.

### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene)

_professional_

Laban Tall is a farm laborer employed by Bathsheba, known for his meekness and occasional incompetence.

### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan)

_friendship_

Jan Coggan and Laban Tall are fellow farm workers who share jokes and camaraderie during their labors.

## In the story

### [X: Mistress and Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/x-mistress-and-men)

Agrees to stay on working for Bathsheba, with his wife speaking for him.

### [Troubles in the Fold; A Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxi-troubles-in-the-fold-a-message)

Rides to deliver Bathsheba's message to Gabriel and reports back with Gabriel's conditional response.

### [XXXVI: Wealth in Jeopardy; The Revel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxvi-wealth-in-jeopardy-the-revel)

Also drunk and unresponsive; Oak seeks the granary key from his wife Susan.

### [LIII: Concurritur; Horae Momento](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liii-concurritur-horae-momento)

Reluctantly agrees to inform Bathsheba of Troy's return, after the group discusses the news outside Boldwood's house.

### [LVII: A Foggy Night and Morning; Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lvii-a-foggy-night-and-morning-conclusion)

The parish clerk; is summoned to witness the wedding.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/laban_tall
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters